Check-rower corn-planter



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' G'. E. SWENEY..

CHECK ROWBR CORN PLANTER.

No. 357,563.. Patented'feb. 8, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT lill CHARLES E. SWENEY, OF PIERCETON, ASSIGNOR OF TWOTHIRDS rIO THEODORE J. HEAGY, OF KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, AND CHARLES R. LONG, OF PIERCETON, INDIANA.

CHECK-ROWER CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,563, dated February 8, 1887.

Application tiled November 3, 1886. Serial No. 217,876. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom, zit may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. SWENEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pierceton, in the county of Kosciusko and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Bower Apparatus of the United States granted to me on the 6th day of April, A. D. 339,233.

The object of my present invention is to improve and simplify the mechanism whereby movement is transmitted from the forked lever at the sides of the machine to the usual shake-bar that controls the operation of the seed-slides; and to this end my invention consists in the various novel features of construction, hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the corn-planter, showing my improved checkrower mechanism applied thereto, and Fig'. 2 is a view in rearelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the main ratchet wheel or pinion that transmits movement to the shakebar, and Fig. 4 is a fractional view of said pinion in central longitudinal section. Y Figs. 5, 6,7, and 8 are detail views, partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing the 1886, and numbered ratchet-wheel or pinion and driving-pawls in various positions. Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section on line .fr of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the ratchet wheel or pinion.

A designates the main cross-bar of the planter, at the ends of which are held, in usual manner, the seed-boxes A', provided with the discharge-spouts A2 and with suitable seed-slides, a, connected with and controlled by the reciprocating shake-bar B, of wellknown or suitable construction.

At the sides of the machine, and mounted upon the main cross-bar A of the planter, are placed the side bars, C, of the check-rower frame, and upon these side bars are'mounted the front and rear tappet -wire-supporting pulleys, D and D', provided with suitable guards, d and d', forfretaining the wire in place thereon. Upon each side bar, C, is also pivotally mounted a forked lever, E, the longer split arm of which extends into the path of the tappet-Wirein a well-known manner, and the shorter arm of which is connected with the tie-rod F, the outer end of which is bent to fit a suitable eye or seat in the end of the lever. One end of the tie-rod Fpasses through a suitable eye formed in the bent end of the angle-bar G, the inner end of which bar is bent to enter a hole, g, in the driving-pawl H, that is mounted in anianner free to slide within the brackets I at the ends of the main bar K of the check-rower.

Upon the threaded end of the tie-rod F is placed the set-nut f, which serves to adjustably determine the position of such rod with respect to the angular bar G, the purpose of this construction being to enable a proper adjustment oi' parts to be `made in order to accommodate the check-rower apparatus to cornplanters of different styles of manufacture.

Each driving-pawl H and H is provided at its end with a stop, h, to limit its inward movement and with astop-pin, h, to limit its movement, in an outward direction, and the inner end of each pawl is provided with the downwardlyextending portion H'l. Adjacent to the. end H2 of each driving-pawl is formed a slight depression or seat, l, from which seat the under edge of the pawl is inclined or curved, forminga delay-surface, as shown at 2, to the seat 3, between which seat 3 and the seats 4- and 5 are formed the cogs 6 and 7, and at a slight distance from the seat or depression 5,

and at the end of the seat 8, is formed the depending lug orstop 9, the precise shape of these several parts being more exactly shown in the det-ail Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings.

Upon the outer side of each of the drivingpawls H and H, and preferably in the position shown in the detail views, are formed the lugs l0, the purpose of which will presently appear. The inner ends of the pawls H and H lie parallel with and adjoining each other and between the flanges Z and Z of the ratchet wheel or pinion L, the hub Z2 of which pinion is perforated to receive the journalpin M, by means of which this pinion is sustained upon the main bar of the checlerower, an intermediate friction sleeve, m, being preferably placed within the hub to encircle thejournalpin.

Between the side plates or flanges, Zand Z', of the ratchet wheel or pinion L extend the teeth or cross-pins iz, n, if, n3, at, and n, and on the inner sides of each plate or flange Z and Z are formed the bridge-blocks N and N', which occupy the space between the outer sides of the v driving-pawls and the side plates of the pinion, and the purpose of which will presently appear.

Upon the outer face of the side plate Zof the ratchet wheel or pinion Lis placed the adjusting-plate O, this plate being provided with the central slot, o, which encircles the head of. the journal-pin M, and the slot o', through which passes the headed bolt O', that serves to connect this plate with the side plate Z of the pinion. One end of this adjusting-plate 0(01 both ends, if desired) fits between the guidelugs p, formed on the outer side of the plate Z, and within the adjusting-plate O are formed two or more holes, o2, adapted to receive the wrist-piu R, that enters a suitable eye on the end of the link-rod S, that is provided at its opposite end with the projecting hook s, adjustably connected thereto and adapted to fit between the lugs or pins b of the shake-bar.

Upon the side of the pawl H is fixed the bracket T, to which is fastened the end of the cross-rod T, that rests within a suitable cutaway part of the frame K and beneath the shoulder w of the guard-bracket NV, the upper portion of which bracket extends above the ratchet wheel or pinion L, and serves to retain the driving-pawls in position thereon. The opposite end of the cross-rod T is inwardly bent and is furnished with a suitable eye to loosely receive the sliding terminal of the rod T2, fixed to the driving-pawl H. A coiled spring, V, encircling said rod T, serves by its react-ion to restore the rods T T2, and in consequence the pawls H H', to normal relation in respect to the pinion L when either pawl is operated, as will hereinafterappear. In other words, the crossrod T andthe rod T2 are practically but separate parts of an extensible divided connection between the companion pawls H H', which connection permits each pawl to have a limited play independently of the other, and yet so joins them that by force of the spring both pawls are retained and restored thereby to operative relation in respect to the pinion L at the conclusion of the reciprocating movement.

From the foregoing construction the operation of my improved check-rower apparatus will be seen to be as follows, assuming the parts to be iu the position shown in Fig. 5, and assuming that movement is to be imparted to the driving-pawl H by engagement ofthe tappetwire with the forked lever that is connected with said pawl: The backward movement of the forked lever will cause the driving-pawl H', through the medium of the tie-rod F on the angular bar G, to be correspondingly forced in backward or inward direction, and it will be seen that at the initial movement of this driving-pawl the cogG of the pawl will engage with the tooth a5 ofthe ratchet wheel or pinion, and will rotate the same until the teeth n and n pass, respectively, into the seats 4and 5 of the driving-pawl, the cog 7 and the shoulder behind the seat 5 serving to continue the rotation of the ratchet wheel or pinion until the tooth n thereof enters the seat 8 of the pawl. At this instant the driving-pawl H will be at the eXtreme of its backward movement, and the parts will have assumed the relative position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. When in this position it will be seen that the connecting-rod S, between the shakebar and the ratchet wheel or pinion, is at a dead-center with respect to said pinion, so that there will be little danger of any accidental movement of the shake-bar; but to guard against all possibility of such movement,it will be seen that the stop 9 of the pawl H and the teeth of the pawl H will effectively serve to guard the ratchet -wheel against rotation. When the pawl H has been thus forced backward to the position shown in Fig. 7, the lug l0 will be elevated to such extent that when the tappetwire releases the forked lever, so that such lever will be forced forward to its original position by the action of the coiled spring V, the lug 10 upon the pawl H will ride upon the bridge-block N, and will thus prevent the driving-pawl from descending or its notches from engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel or pinion.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings is illustrated the position of the pawl H as it is being drawn backward by the coiled spring and is riding over the bridge-block.

While the driving-pawl H is being forced inward, through the medium of the tappetw wire and lever mechanism, to actuatc the rotating wheel, and is being returned again to its normal position by the reaction of the spring V, it will be understood that the companion pawl, H, does not reciprocate back and forth, but merely rises clear of the teeth or pins of the ratchet-wheel, to allow such wheel to revolve, and at the end of the inward stroke of the pawl' H drops again, so that a notch IOO thereof shall engage with the corresponding tooth or pin of the wheel and prevent the reverse rotation Vof the latter during the return of the pawl H to its normal position, there being sufcient play for the pawls H H in their hearings in the brackets I to permit this limited up-anddown movement of said pawls to occur. At the beginning of thej inward movement of the pawl H the pin or tooth a5 of the ratchet-wheel bears against the curved or sloping space near theinner end of the pawl H, (more clearly shown in Fig. 8.) and as the rotation of such wheel begins said pin, by riding against the delay-su rface mentioned, lifts the notch 3 of the pawl H out of its engagement with the tooth or pin u, so that the ratchetwheel is no longer locked by said notch, and is free to rotate in response to the inward movement of the driving-pawl H. The pins. of the ratchet-wheel following the pin or tooth n successively engage the curved surface at the inner end of the pawl H, already mentioned, and thus continue to hold said pawl in its uplifted position, free from interference with the ratchet-teeth, until theinward stroke of the companion driving-pawl, H', is completed. At this juncture said pawl H begins its return movement through the action of the spring V, the curved face of said pawl H next tothe seat 8 riding'over the pin or tooth n2 or a5, as the case may be, thus lifting the notch 5 of said pawl out of engagementwith the tooth n3 or a. The free advance of the pawl H thus beginning brings its lug l()` onto the bridge-piece N or N', retaining the pawl H in raised position until its normal relation is reached, when the lug l() will have cleared the bridge-piece, permitting the pawl H to drop and bringing the notch 3 into engagement with the tooth n or n2, in readinessV for the next stroke. At the beginning of the return movement of the pawl H to its `normal position -the notch 3 of the pawl H has just seated itself about the pin or tooth, as at n3, Fig. 8, thus locking the ratchet-wheel and preventing the same from turning reversely, which otherwise would be apt to occur, owing to the friction of the lug l0 ofthe pawl H upon the bridge-piece of said wheel. When the spring V has returned the driving-pawl H to its normal position, the lug 10 thereof' will have cleared the bridge-piece upon which it was riding, so that the seat 3 of the pawl is free to drop down and engage with the initial pin or tooth ofthe ratchet-wheel, in readiness for the next partial rotation thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. The moment that the notch 3 of the pawl H is thus seated about the pin or tooth, as nf', of the ratchet-wheel the locking of such wheel against movement in either direction is manifestly completed, since the corresponding notches, 3, ofthe coinpanion pawls H H arrest the movement of the ratchetwheel in either direction.

Should there be any tendency to rotate the `ratchet-wheel irregularly, aside from the usual operation ofthe tappet-wire, it is manifest that the tension of the spring V will resist this, and so far prevent the teeth of the ratchetwheel from clearing the notches of the pawls H H with which they are engaged. Ordinarily, this tension of the springV will suffice to prevent any such premature movement of the ratchet-wheel, so that practically the notched pawls H H', acting in conjunction with said spring, serve to lock the ratchetwheel effectually, and prevent the loss or irregular planting of the seed. During the inward movement ofthe driving-pawl H', if the notch 5 thereof should clear the pin n before the connecting-rod SV has reached a dead-center and the stroke of the seed-slide is completed, the seat 8 and lug 9 of the pawl H will none the less encounter the pin or tooth of the ratchetwheel corresponding thereto and complet-e the stroke of the wheel.` At the finish of this inward movement of the driving-pawl H, the pin n2 or a5 of the ratchet-Wheel, as the case may be, rests within the seat 8 of the pawl, while the upper side thereof bears against the overhanging bracket W, this latter serving thereby as a stop to the further movement of the ratchet-wheel and preventing, also, the disengagement of the pawl H therefrom. On the return movement of the pawl H', through the medium of the spring V, the terminal H'A of the pawl may strike against the pin or tooth of the ratchet-wheel, as shown at n', Fig. 5, thus acting as a stop to arrest the further movement of the pawl H. Practically, however, the function of the lug 9 and terminal H'l of the pawls H H in determining the stop or limit of movement of said pawls is better served by the stops h and 7L', which engage with the brackets l, as already explained. When the tappet-wire is placed upon the opposite side of the machine, the driving-pawl H will come into play and will operate the ratchet-wheel and seed-slides in manner precisely as already detailed for the companion pawl, H', which latter thereupon will assume the functions of a lock or stop, as already described, for the pawl H. rI he adj ustableplate O on the ratchetwheel L affords a ready means for setting the apparatus to the different strokes (extent ot' movementof the shake-bar) of various styles of corn-planters, such mechanism allowing a very nice adjustment, so as to compensate for the slightest variation in the planters.

By connecting the rod T and the springcarrying rod Tito the driving-pawls, as shown,

'a single coiled spring may be employed for` restoring both driving-pawls and the forked levers at each side of the machine to their normal position, thus dispensing with one of the springs commonly employed for the purpose.

In adapting the invention to corn-planters wherein the tappet-.wire runs across themachine instead of operating the trip-levers at the sides thereof, as shown in 'the drawings, such levers willbe dispensed with and the -wire be caused to act directly upon the lugs 7L,

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of the driving-pawls H H', said lugs being made somewhat longer than shown in the drawings, Fig. l, so as to bring them in the path of the tappet-wire. Suitable guides for directing the wire into engagement with the lug h of the operating-pawl will be provided.

Instead of having the guide-rod T2 located as shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, the spring V may be located centrally just front of the ratchet wheel or pinion, in which event the cross-rod T' would be shortened and a companion rod in all respects corresponding therewith bc attached to the driving-pawl H', and be caused to bear upon the end of the spring V opposite to the bearing for the rod T'.

Obviously, the details of structure hereinbefore set forth may be varied as the skill of the mechanic may suggest without departing from the/spirit of the invention, which latter is not limited to such details, but, as stated in the claims following, is designed to include the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wirefof mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar and operatingpawls for driving said ratchet wheel or pinion, said pawls being suitably connected with the forked levers and each having a shifting engagement with said pinion independently of the other, whereby during the reciprocation of one pawl to actuate the pinion the companion pawl is free from such reciprocating movement, substantially as described.

2. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar and operatingpawls fordriving said ratchet wheel or pinion suitably connected with the forked levers, said ratchet-wheel or pawls being provided with disengaging mechanism to permit the pawls to move in a backward direction without rotating the wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the.forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, com` prising a ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar and provided with bridge-blocks, and driving-pawls having cogs to engage with the ratchet-wheel and having lugs to override the bridge-blocks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movef ment from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a flanged ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar and operating-pawls for driving said ratchet wheel or pinion, having their ends placed between the anges of the ratchet wheel or pinion and provided with a series of cogs and with means for disengagement from the ratchet wheel or pinion during their backward movement, substantially as described.

5. In a eheck-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism forimparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion, atie-rod for connecting said wheel or pinion with the shakebar, said rod being adjustably connected at and with the ratchet wheel or pinion, and driving-pawls suitably connected with the forked levers, substantially as described.

6. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism. for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a fianged ratchet wheel or pinion, L, having bridge-blocks N and N', and drivingpawls H and H', provided with the bent ends H?, the cogs 6 and 7, and the lugs 10, substantially as described.

7. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked-levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion, L, having angesl and i' and having rods or teeth extending` between said flanges and bridge-blocks N and N' at the sides thereof, and drivingpawls H and H', having the bent ends H2, the cogs 6 and 7, the stops 9, and the lugs l0, said pawls being suitably connected with the forked lever mechanism, substantially as described.

8. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar, driving-pawls for said ratchet wheel or pinion, and adjustable connecting mechanism between said driving-pawls and the forked levers, substantially as described.

9.- In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting movement from said levers to the seed-slides, comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion, suitable driving-pawls for said ratchet wheel or pinion in connection with the forked lever, and a tie-rod between said ratchet wheel or pinion and the shake-bar, said tie-rod being arranged to be at a dead-center with respect to the ratchet wheel or pinion at the completion of each stroke of the driving-pawls, substantially as described.

10. In a check-rower corn planter, the combination, with the forked levers for the tappet-wire, of mechanism for imparting move- IOO IIO

ment from said levers to the seed-slides, the same comprising a ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection with the shake-bar, two driving-pawls for said ratchet-wheel, each in separate connection with a forked lever and extensibly connected together, and a reactionspring controlling such extensible connection and restoring said pawls and forked levers to position, substantially as described.

11. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the ratchet wheel or pinion and the shake-bar in suitable connection therewith, of the opposite driving-pawls, each having a shifting engagement with said pinion independently of the other, whereby during the reciprocation of one pawl to actuate the pinion the companion pawl is free from such reciprocating movement, substantially as described.

12. In a check-rower corn-planter, the cornbination, with the shake-bar, of the ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection therewith and having bridge blocks or rests thereon, and the notched driving-pawls engaging with said pinionand having lugs to bear uponthe bridge-blocks, substantially as described.

I3. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the shake-bar, of thc ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection therewith and having bridge blocks or rests thereon, the overhanging guard bracket, and the notched driving-pawls engaging with said pinion and having lugs to bear upon the bridgeblocks, substantially as described.

14. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the ratchet wheel or pinion, of the opposite driving-pawls engaging therewith, the cross or guide rods constituting an extensible connection between said pawls, and the reaction-spring co-operating with such connection, whereby the pawls are restored to operative relation with said pinion, substantially as described.

15. In a check-rower corn-planter, the cornbination, with the shake-bar and'with the tierod, of the ratchet wheel or pinion and the adj usting-plate thereon connected with the tierod, substantially as described.

16. In a check-rower corn-planter, the cornbination, with the shake-bar, of the ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection therewith and the notched driving-pawls engaging With said pinion and having suitable delaysurfaces thereon, whereby each pawl may be released from its locking engagement with said pinion during the reciprocation of the companion pawl, substantially as described.

17. In a check-rower corn-planter, the combination, with the shake-bar, of the ratchet wheel or pinion in suitable connection therewith and having bridge blocks or rests thereon, and the notched driving-pawls engaging with said pinion and having lugs to .bear upon the bridge-blocks, and delay-surfaces to sustain said pawls free'froin locking engagement with said pinion, substantially as described.

CHARLES. E. SWEN EY. Witnesses:

JAMEs H. Piemon, I. B. CARPENTER. 

